University of virginia vs university of michigan! HELP!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>Hi, I am a senior from Alaska. Among the schools I'm applying to are University of Michigan and University of Virginia. I'm going to have to choose one of these two, though, because the application fee is $75 each. I mean, come on, I have to work like six hours to make that much. </p>

<p>Biggest factor in choosing my school would be money, and on College board it says Michigan meets 90% of students' needs on average, and University of Virginia meets 100%. The average net price for my parent's income bracket households, however, is about the same for both schools (13k ish). I ran both their net price calculators, and UVA was about $7,444 a year for me. UMich was a ridiculous amount of $$20725 - $32525/year, which is more than half my parents' income. I double checked everything on the calculator, and still same amount. I think it might be because my parents have some savings, which still isn't a lot. I know this is just an estimate, but it will be close to the actual value, won't it? Does this mean that UVA will for sure give out a lot more for me?</p>

<p>I want to major in engineering, and I know people are going to probably just say UMich over University of Virginia because just because of their ranking difference. Personally I don't think that matters. I mean, they're both really good schools, and just because UVA is ranked lower doesn't mean I can't get as good an education there as I would at UMich, right?</p>

<p>I want to also have something to fall back on if I decide I want to do something other than engineering, but I guess both schools would have just about everything being that they are state universities, right?</p>

<p>I'm just about done with my UVA application, all I have to do is finish my arts supplement and pay for it and send it in. UMIch deadline is 1st of Feb though, so if I don't apply to UVA I have a whole another month to think it over.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Oh, on a sidenote, how are the a cappella groups at each school?</p>

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<p>I’m curious–why these two schools? In general, they have many common characteristics. But focusing on Engineering, I’m wondering why these two?</p>

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<p>well, UVA meets 100% financial needs for out of state students. UMich was one of the schools recommended to me. Also high rank in engineering.</p>

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<p>No one here is going to tell you to attend a place you can’t afford, but I believe they will waive the app fee if from a low income, in which case you may as well apply to both and see what offers you get.</p>

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<p>I’m a grad student at UVA and I went to UMich for undergrad, so I can chime in a bit. Disclaimer is that most of what I know about UVA undergrad is hearsay.</p>

<p>Engineering: UMich is pretty highly ranked across the board for the different types of engineering. On the other hand, Virginia residents have to choose between Virginia Tech and UVA for engineering, and my understanding is that while you could legitimately debate the merits of VT vs. UVA engineering curriculum and such, VT has the better reputation as an engineering school. If you end up changing your mind, both schools have a ton of opportunities, so I’d call that a push.</p>

<p>A cappella: A cappella is huge at UVA. My rough estimate based on feel is that UVA has about twice as many groups as UMich - for comparison, UMich has twice as many undergraduate students. Anecdotally, it seems to me that being a member of an a cappella group at UVA is the single best activity to improve one’s attractiveness. </p>

<p>Music in general: UVA has a really small music program, while UMich’s School of Music was #2 nationally last I remember. UVA doesn’t offer a music minor, only a major. UMich offers a music major and minor through LSA. I think much of the music curriculum through the music school at UMich is accessible to non-music students, but some classes may favor music students.</p>

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<p>MichiganStick,</p>

<p>Since you have a bit of a unique perspective on both schools can you provide any other thoughts/advice to an undergrad picking between the two. I can’t give you much to go on - just looking for a good liberal arts education with a strong interest in Spanish (maybe minor, possibly even a major). Possibly thinking about law school down the road. Already in UMich and will hear soon from UVA - if it works out I know I will be really torn. Any thoughts?</p>

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<p>Bigdoglover, have you visited both? They have different feels. I have only visited Michigan, but attended UVa undergrad. Ann Arbor’s probably a nicer town than C-ville, but UVa’s got more of a campus feel. Michigan is also quite a bit larger than UVa (that can be good or bad.) Some will also argue with me on this–but I’ve been all over the country and I can tell you there are plenty of folks who don’t recognize UVa as the academic school it is. Outside of the Midwest, many people probably only know Michigan as a football school, too. So I guess my point is that you might also consider where you think you want to be–in the midwest or midatlantic. If you want to be the East/southeast, a UVa education and network may be of more benefit to you. If you want to be in the midwest, Michigan might be better. Both have large alumni groups and networks, but where you land probably would look different based on which school you attend.</p>

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<p>Bigdoglover, I’ll try my best.</p>

<p>Spanish: I believe the Spanish programs at both schools are incredibly popular, and thus it can be difficult, even for Spanish majors, to sign up for all the classes they want. I want to say that UVA stopped offering the Spanish minor to try and alleviate this problem, but I’m not 100% sure because it sounds a little like what I said for the music program above.</p>

<p>You can get a good liberal arts education at either, and I’m sure many students go on to great law schools from both.</p>

<p>I’d certainly try to visit both schools if you’re torn. ohmydd95 is absolutely correct that they feel quite different. I originally wrote a few paragraphs here, but removed them because feel is something that’s probably best decided on your own. If I had to sum up each school in a word though, I use “pride” for Michigan and “history” for Virginia.</p>

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<p>“If I had to sum up each school in a word though, I use “pride” for Michigan and “history” for Virginia.”</p>

<p>Michigan is as historic as UVa. School pride, academic prowess and athletic tradition dwarf Michigan’s rich history, but the University is very historic. </p>

<p>FOUNDED:
Michigan 1817
UVa 1819</p>

<p>MEMBERSHIP YEAR TO AAU
Michigan 1900 (founding member)
UVa 1904</p>

<p>Both universities have rich histories and were considered significant universities very early. By 1900, both schools were considered among the very best. They are both older than other elites, such as Cal, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Chicago, Cornell, Duke, Emory, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Northwestern, Rice, Stanford, Vanderbilt, WUSTL etc…</p>

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<p>OHmyDD95 and MichiganStick,</p>

<p>Thanks so much to both of you for the insights. I have visited both. I thought I would love UVA and I did. I guess it was Michigan that surprised me…I thought it might be too big and just not right but I was really impressed. In fact I probably wouldn’t have applied to UM if I hadn’t visited.</p>

<p>The Spanish heads up at UVA was great as well. They do have a Business Spanish Minor that interests me but it is interesting that no traditional Spanish minor is offered.</p>

<p>I am from the Northeast and feel that UM is very well known here and has a great reputation. UVA as well but maybe not quite to the UM level.</p>

<p>The pride thing for UM seems right on - I have never seen a group of people so proud of attending/having graduated from a school!</p>

<p>In the end if UM had UVA’s size (maybe weather also) I wouldn’t be posting here. I guess deep down I wonder if UM is just too big for me. In every other way they seem so equal…at least to me.</p>

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<p>If Michigan is going to cost approximately half of your parents income, I don’t think that is that great of a choice. Just my opinion.</p>

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<p>After a few months of attending college, ALL schools feel smaller. A smaller school is always going to feel small, no matter what you do. The best thing about attending a larger school is that there is always a new discovery to be had. Congrats on your admission to Michigan BigDogLover!</p>

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<p>Well, if you haven’t applied yet, I’ve got a loop hole for you!</p>

<p>Apply to BOTH schools and look over finaid packages later. </p>

<p>As for application fee costs, this is what you do: </p>

<p>-Apply to the University of Michigan–Dearborn online:
[How</a> to Apply: University of Michigan-Dearborn](<a href=“http://www.umd.umich.edu/howtoapply/]How”>http://www.umd.umich.edu/howtoapply/) </p>

<p>Applying online is free, and when you’re applying UM-Ann Arbor, the supplement asks if you’ve applied to one of their other campuses. When you click “yes” and choose “Dearborn”, your fee is waived. Then on the payment section for the Commonapp put “Other fee waiver”. </p>

<p>I found this out when I was applying to both campuses and I couldn’t believe it was that simple.</p>

<p>So there you go! You can apply to both! :)</p>

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<p>I can’t tell you much about UVA, but I did my undergrad at Michigan so I can give you my opinion. I have a year and a half of post graduate work experience and I can say that I feel like I had a leg up on recent grads from most other top programs. I applied and found a job in Texas. Nobody here even knows what the University of Michigan is, but grads from programs like Emory, UT Austin, and Texas A&M seem far less prepared than Michigan students. I received two promotions less than a year after finding my first job simply because I was able to complete more work in less time than my co-workers. I also applied to MBA programs this year, and each of the schools that I applied to personally called me to tell me I was accepted and that they loved Michigan grads.</p>

<p>On the other hands, make SURE that you like, or can at least tolerate, life at the University of Michigan. I found the atmosphere at the school to be rancid, and I grew up in Ann Arbor! Most students are cocky, even when they are failing half of their classes. Most social activities are centered on football and drinking. Frats are constantly making trouble and running naked through libraries and other university buildings. Michigan makes most 90s college movies look tame.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the insights with the career stuff and Michigan rep. Thats great.</p>

<p>Your other info is a bit disturbing. I mean I get that a large state university will have a lot of partying but the way you describe it sounds pretty bad. I guess I actually thought with its prestige, etc it may not be too bad. Most students have to be pretty accomplished to get in but I guess they just let loose. Worries me a bit - not being into partying.</p>

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<p>Bigdoglover, trust me…it’s not THAT bad. My sister currently attends there and to be honest, it all depends on who YOU hang out with. I too, do not party–like, AT ALL. And as of now, UMich is where I’m going next year. Just don’t join frats/sororities and you’re good.</p>

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<p>Thats good to hear. Not planning to ever join a sorority! Yeah I don’t party either but I don’t judge those who do - I just don’t want an environment where I’m constantly dealing with it. Just something else to consider in making a choice.</p>

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<p>A lot depends on your Freshman dorm assignment. I lived in South Quad on an honors floor and we had constant parties. Some people get lucky and they live on a quiet floor. The best way to get a quiet dorm on central campus is to apply to the residential college. You live in your own halls in East quad, which is directly in central campus. Your RAs are strict about keeping parties out of your halls, and you get to have some RC only classes hosted in your dorm so you don’t have to trek through the snow.</p>

<p>Once you get out of the dorms then it is really up to you. And if you live on North Campus then there really isn’t much partying, but you have to take the bus to get to class.</p>